Bugatti type 57

In the early 1930s, Jean Bugatti temporarily managed a plant in the city of Molsheim due to the absence of his father. At this time, he developed the Type 57. The new model had an independent suspension , an L8 engine with a double overhead camshaft at an angle of 93 degrees with a gear located at the rear of the engine, and rotors with a power of 135 hp. ^[1] The machine also had brakes with a cable drive, the front axle was equipped with a semi-elliptic leaf spring.

Jean Bugatti created four different bodies for this car: four-door sedans Ventoux and Galibier, a two- seater Atalante coupe , a convertible Stelvio. ^[2]

Since everything in design and chassis was an innovation, the production of the model was delayed. Type 57 began to be produced in 1934. 630 cars were assembled. Type 57, weighing only 950 kg, developed a top speed of 153 km / h.

Type 57T

Enhanced in 1935, the Type 57T was more athletic. The model reached a speed of 185 km / h.

Type 57C

The sports modification was launched in 1937 , equipped with a 3.3-liter engine with a mechanical supercharger of the Roots type producing 160 hp. The model was distinguished by a high radiator and chassis.

Type 57S was first published in 1935 at the London Auto Show. The body of the first model was subsequently used in the design of the Atlantic Coupe. ^[1] In the modification, the chassis frame with the built-in rail section was redesigned, the engine was modified (fastening mechanisms, crankcase with pressure pumps, pressurization), resulting in 170 hp and developed a top speed of 193 km / h. Also, by order of the car, a supercharger was installed. The car was shorter than the main version; wheelbase decreased by 320 mm. ^[3] The chassis also lowered: for this, the rear axle was passed through two oval holes in the frame side members.

Type 57S came out in a small edition: 48 cars, of which 17 - Atalante Coupe.

Type 57SC

Almost immediately after the start of production of Type 57S, a Type 57SC supercharged version was released. A Roots type supercharger was installed on the cars, which brought the engine power to 210 hp. ^[3] One 1937 Type 57SC is part of the Ralph Lauren Car Collection.

Atlantic

It is believed that the Atlantic is the first supercar . A total of 3 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic cars were produced. This modification of the Type 57S (or Type 57SC) was based on the 1935 Aérolithe concept car shown at the Paris Motor Show . Atlantic was personally developed by Jean Bugatti. The body was made of an alloy of magnesium and aluminum , called the "electron", which was very light and at the same time flammable, which did not allow the car parts to be joined by welding ^[4] . Details were fastened with rivets, which, according to the idea of ​​Jean Bugatti, were brought out.

The car was equipped with a 3257 cm³ compressor engine producing 210 liters. with. Accelerated to 200 km / h ^[4] . After the Aérolithe, three Atlantic models were made with chassis numbers {57374}, {57473} and {57491}. Each of the three cars has its own story.

A model with a chassis 57374 was ordered by Lord Victor Rothschild and had a light blue color ^[4] . Then she went to Bob Oliver from Los Angeles , who regularly repainted, then in 1971 she was purchased by Dr. Peter D. Williamson for a price of $ 59,000 . He restored the car in its original form and in 2003 won it in the automobile beauty contest in Pebble Beach . In May 2010, the car broke an auction record: Atlantic was bought by an anonymous person for an amount in the range of $ 30-40 million and transferred to the Mullin Automobile Museum ^[5] .

Atlantic with a chassis of 57473 in 1955 was hit by a train at a railway crossing, as a result of which the owner of the car Rene Shatar and his companion died. In 1965, Paul Andre Benson bought a crumpled car from a police station and spent 10 years recovering it ^[4] .

The car with the chassis 57491 in 1988 was acquired by the American fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

Type 57G Tank

In 1936, 3 Type 57G Tank cars built on the Type 57S platform were built in Molsheim. This model is one of the most famous of the Type 57, since it won the French Grand Prix ( 1936 ) and won the Le Mans 24 hour endurance race in 1937 . It is equipped with an eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with an overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder (3257 cm ³ , 200 hp). ^[6]

Type 57S Tank

Another car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939 . After that, Jean Bugatti took this car for testing and crashed on it on the Molsheim- Strasbourg road at the age of 30.

Atalante was made on the basis of both types - 57 and 57S, after Atlantic. It was a two-door coupe . 17 cars were made. Currently 4 cars are in the Schlupf Brothers Car Museum ( Mulhouse , France ). One of the four models with chassis number 57551 had streamlined headlights and a speed of 190 km / h. ^[1] Another was purchased by Earl Francis Curzon in 1937 and found intact in a garage in Newcastle upon Tyne . The car was sold at auction in February 2009 for $ 5 million. ^[7]